FIFA sidesteps technology questions

28 June 2010 12:40

FIFA has refused to even defend their opposition to goal-line technology despite Prime Minister David Cameron adding his voice to calls for a review.

Cameron's comment followed Frank Lampard's disallowed goal during England's 4-1 defeat to Germany when the ball clearly crossed the line.

FIFA communications director Nicolas Maingot said: "There are some questions on technology and additional assistant referee experiments and the International FA Board meeting in March took a stance on goal-line technology. We will not enter into any debate on refereeing at the daily media briefing."

FIFA, who blocked any further experiments with technology at a meeting of the International FA Board in March, faced a barrage of questions at a media briefing in Johannesburg that reached almost farcical proportions.

Sunday night's match between Argentina and Mexico had also thrown up another controversial incident, with Carlos Tevez scoring the opening goal from a blatantly offside position.

Maingot added: "The International FA Board, which FIFA is a member of along with the four British associations, dealt with this topic in March. A clear decision on the use of technology was taken at the time.

"I don't think football is very much different from other sports and not all sports have recourse to technology."

Asked if FIFA were embarrassed by becoming a laughing stock, Maingot was forced to straight-bat the question.

He added: "FIFA is not working on refereeing after just one case, FIFA is working on refereeing for many years with the confederations and the national associations.

"Refereeing is a global part of the game and we will continue to work on this."